20100414

How to Make Real Welsh Rarebit

When I was a kid I was served melted cheese on toast and told that it was "Welsh Rarebit". Melted cheese on toast is a very tasty meal, but it isn't Welsh Rarebit.

Welsh Rarebit is toast covered in thick cheese sauce. Many people like to place the finished product under the grill before serving. I personally don't think grilling adds anything to the flavour but if you disagree then go ahead and grill it.

Ingredients

Vegetable Oil

Flour

Cheese

Seasoning

Toast

Preparation

Make a roux by warming a couple of tablespoons of oil in a saucepan then stirring in the same amount of flour and cooking gently for a couple of minutes

Allow the roux to cool then stir in half a cup of water (or optionally, beer) and return to the heat

Grate half a cup of cheese into the mixture and stir until it melts

Add seasoning (cayenne, salt, mustard) and cook gently until the sauce is smooth and thick

Spread on toast

John's Notes
This recipe makes enough cheese sauce to serve 2 people. You can garnish it with some chives, chopped onion or leeks. Total preparation time is about 10 minutes. Enjoy and don't accept melted cheese on toast as the real McCoy ever again.

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